Matthews is the hero as Horsham YM edge past Lancing
Horsham YM moved up to third in the SCFL premier division after their home win against Lancing on Saturday.
Although the Lancers are in relegation territory, and YM had notched up wins in the cup and league against them earlier in the season, the visitors had beaten upper-table Eastbourne United the week before, so this was a potential banana skin.
It was won from the single goal of the match, but YM boss Liam Giles was delighted to accept another three points, telling the County Times: “It was good to win again – our fourth clean sheet success in a row – especially as fellow contenders Guernsey lost and Peacehaven & Telscombe could only draw at Crawley Down Gatwick.
"It’s a long season and there is some tiredness, and perhaps a little complacency, but despite Lancing’s situation they’ve got some lively forwards, so they weren’t a pushover.”
YM had four early free kicks, two in dangerous positions, followed by two corners, in between which Zymon Kowalczyk evaded several YM players, only to fire straight at YM keeper Sam Freeman.
In a golden opportunity for YM the ball was headed over from close range before an Adam Adam curler was caught high up by Elliot Dailly in the Lancers’ goal.
After visiting forwards Szymon Kowalcczyk and Mohamed Khedidjl made further inroads to no avail, YM’s Dan Webster limped off just ahead of the half-time whistle.
Starting the second session goalless, the Lancers were relieved when YM shot wide from close quarters, but YM soon scored when Shay Matthews latched on to a cross to crack in from the left.
Adam then defended well to clear a Lancers free kick ahead of Freeman having to be at his best to palm away Khedidji’s effort, the rebound strike ballooning over.
Four free kicks came and went for the Lancers, with YM sub Alfie Jones soon in defensive action. Lancing then had a last-ditch corner – their first of the match – but it was YM who thought they’d scored again, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag at the very death.
Steyning and Haywards Heath retain the top two spots after winning again, while Shoreham remain bottom, a point adrift from Lancing.
On Saturday, YM welcome 15th-placed Crawley Down Gatwick to the Herbert Direct Stadium, having won 2-0 at CDG earlier in the season.